Blog Archives
These Sounds Will Not Be Silent
Batman or Superman?
Fortunately, there’s a cinematic battle between these two DC Universe icons in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice that will finally answer this age old question. This movie of epic proportions premieres in theaters today and the hype, expectations and immediate future of both characters is on the line.
Henry Cavill gave moviegoers an introduction to his Superman in 2013s Man of Steel and Ben Affleck is following the damn-near perfect (if not arguably perfect) portrayal of Bruce Wayne/Batman with The Dark Knight trilogy that concluded just 4 short years ago.
No pressure there.
I have not seen Batman v Superman yet, but there have been plenty of teasers and trailers lately (too many?) that, visually, the movie’s look has been pretty well revealed. How about the soundtrack? This movie is interesting in that it has two very familiar composers. Hans Zimmer composed a brilliant Dark Knight trilogy score and he also did Man of Steel’s wonderful soundtrack with assistance from Junkie XL.
Playing on his expertise with both superheroes, Mr. Zimmer collaborated with soundtrack veteran Junkie XL and crafted the sounds of Batman v Superman.
Here’s the opening taste from the soundtrack.
Once again: Batman or Superman?
Elocution’s Big Adventure
“Speak softly and carry a big stick…”
–Theodore Roosevelt
Projecting the right tone can be everything. No matter the endeavor, whether personal or professional, people respond to what and how they hear things.
During acting classes, vocal training and breathing exercises are no joke. In high school, reading from a textbook to the class in timid fashion can brand you for life in a not so flattering light. Mumbling words when hanging out with friends will spark an awkward question-and-answer session.
On the other hand, firmly taking a position with an assertive, yet non-abrasive tone on a controversial issue demonstrates knowledge and strength. Performing stand-up comedy that treats makes the back row sneak-in like the front row star earns street cred from the crowd. Picking the right messenger for the message is paramount (cough cough 2016 election on both sides).
However, the best way to prove the point about striking the right tone is illustrated in the remixed movie trailer of The Dark Knight Rises featuring an unlikely voice from the past.
A red and white bike riding past.
Safe to say this voice-over projects a wildly different conclusion to the Christopher Nolan trilogy that defined a generation. Despite being completely contrary to the film’s intended message, it’s one of those rare moments when the wrong tone was unthinkably transformed into the right tone by revealing a new, surprisingly entertaining perspective.
Speak softly and carry a big shtick.
Is it Determined To Be (DTB) a Mind-Bender?
(Photo by Stephen Vaughan, on an elaborately built set for Inception)
“Warner Bros. will release an untitled Christopher Nolan movie on July 21, 2017”
—Dave McNary, Variety
This enticing news broke last night. Because of Nolan’s insistence on working on one film at a time, the drip-drip nature of his top-secret reveals is a genuine thrill to his countless fans around the world. And yes, I’m one of them.
As of right now, we know three things:
- The summer of 2017 will be epic!
- Hans Zimmer will orchestrate yet another brilliant film score
- Michael Caine will be in the movie
As of right now, here are five predictions for the type of movie Mr. Nolan has written and will ultimately direct and produce with his family and team at Syncopy and Warner Bros.:
- The Afterlife, exploring elements of faith and science
- A post-apocalyptic thriller, akin to Blade Runner
- A mind-bender (wait for it…) with a mid-20th century/Hitchcock/Twilight Zone aesthetic with a female lead character
- The origin story for a new trilogy of a science-fiction favorite that’s not superhero-related
- James Bond (More of a hope, really, even with Sam Mendes likely done after this year’s Spectre. The summer release date indicates it won’t be 007, this time)
Aside from James Bond, the one franchise he might get his IMAX camera on in the future is Star Wars. He’s publicly stated his love and eye-opening movie-going experience of Star Wars. Creatively, what he would add with his deftness at epic storytelling with gritty realism on the biggest scale with dynamic characters on practical sets elevated by astonishing twists and turns with lightsabers in the ultimate battle of good v. evil, wow.
Imagine that trilogy!
At this point, we simply don’t know. One thing we do know is this movie just became the hottest audition/interview to land in Hollywood.
Although, without a cell phone or email account, Christopher Nolan finds you…and he only looks on the top-shelf.
There’s No Independence Day After Earth
Now this is what I call a close encounter…of the sequel kind.
The follow-up to Independence Day was announced a few months back, but during a recent forum in the secret alien hotbed of Albuquerque, New Mexico with the stars (including Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman) and director Roland Emmerich, the most pressing question was discussed:
Why didn’t Captain Steven Hiller Will Smith return?
Emmerich shed some light on this issue.
In the very beginning, I wanted to work with him and he was excited to be in it but then after a while he was tired of sequels, and he did another science fiction film, which was his father-son story, so he opted out.”
Keep in mind that the science-fiction film with the literal father-son story was a movie called After Earth, which was heavily panned and was a box office flop. Still, an Independence Day sequel would have revived a favored father-son relationship, while being just one of many character plot lines. The scale of this science-fiction saga stretches far and wide, both with its story and characters. It would not have been “the Will Smith movie,” yet he is a critical part of this newly created franchise. Plus, the 1996 alien summer blockbuster is still loved by fans and Will Smith is a major reason for that.
Smith’s excuse, therefore, is weak and unacceptable. He is one of the few actors in Hollywood that earns a fresh look from the audience with each new project. Arriving in theaters next year, it’s probably safe to say that Smith will regret passing on this movie. It’s essentially impossible to bring something back from yesteryear and for it to be as good as the original. Except, with this movie and its original director, all of its big name stars returning and the initial plot (it’s 20 years later and David Levinson is/has been leading a global initiative to prepare for any future alien attacks), the potential is high for a fun return to some exciting 1996 cinematic nostalgia.
As a bonus for fans, the official title was revealed:
Independence Day: Resurgence.
The aliens will try to blow up Jurassic World’s box office records next summer starting June 24th.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 